LOS ANGELES, CA.- Property from the Estate of computer billionaire Max Palevsky and works from the collection of James Byrnes, the first curator of Modern Art at LACMA, will trade hands for the first time on March 6, 2011 at the upcoming LAMA auction. Over half of the 500 plus items offered in the March 6th auction have never before traded hands on the open market.

Peter Loughrey, Director of LAMA: “Every auctioneer is aware that strong material from private collections is always in great demand. This is one of the best opportunities we have had to offer completely fresh material by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. The fact that this material has such great provenance and will be sold with little or no reserve is just icing on the cake.”

Highlights from the Estate of Max Palevsky will include a number of Ettore Sottsass custom designs such as a marble entry table, a custom headboard with built-in nightstands, and a unique marble and steel coffee table. In addition to the Sottsass designs, four Murano glass windows, a selection of Venini glass, and a rare Carlo Scarpa vase for Venini will also be offered for sale. All property from the Palevsky Estate will be sold with no reserve.

Highlights from a selection of over 40 lots from the James Byrnes collection include a unique drawing by Alexander Calder, a Harry Bertoia brooch, a Roberto Matta drawing, an Elaine de Kooning painting from 1949, and dozens of works this collector has acquired over a span of nearly 70 years.

In addition, the original maquette of “The Unknown Political Prisoner” (1952-1953) by Reg Butler, will be offered for the first time since it was sold at Sotheby’s in London in 1963. Replicas of this important work are in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Gallery.

The March 6, 2011 Modern Art & Design Auction will be held at the LAMA showroom: 16145 Hart St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 and will start at 12pm noon (PST). Auction Preview: February 25th through March 5th; open daily 10am – 6pm.